Vietnamese coffee press

Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to spend money on expensive equipment here.

A Vietnamese coffee press – or phin, to give it its proper name – is surprisingly easy to find.

Amazon stocks them for just a few dollars.

If you prefer to taste the results before deciding to buy new kitchen equipment, there are other options.

Just use a French press or whatever drip method you prefer.

Ice cubes (optional)

Fish sauce and toothpick (optional)

How to make Vietnamese coffee: Step by step instructions

Step 1: Add your coffee to the filter

If you’re using a Vietnamese coffee filter, begin by removing the top screen.

The coffee needs to sit beneath it. This YouTube video shows how the various elements of the coffee filter fit together.

Next, measure out 3 rounded tablespoons of your chosen coffee and add it to the filter.

Try to spread it out as evenly as possible.

Now screw the top screen back onto the filter so that it’s snug but not too tight.

One or two full turns should be enough, but don’t worry about getting it exactly right.

If you find that the water drips through it too quickly or slowly, you can adjust it.

We’ll show you how to do that later.

Pro tip:

Don’t be tempted to shake the coffee grounds or squash them down before applying the filter. The grounds will slip into the holes in the filter, clogging it up and making the drip process take forever!

Step 2 (Optional): Warm your cup or glass

Vietnamese coffee takes between 3 and 5 minutes to brew, and during that time a lot of heat can be lost.

That means that instead of being nice and hot, your coffee may be tepid by the time it’s ready.

Step 5: Add two tablespoons of hot water to the filter

It’s known as “blooming” the coffee and plays a big part in unlocking the flavors and aromas of your drink.

Place the filter on top of the mug or glass containing the condensed milk.

Now add 2 tablespoons of hot water to the filter and wait 5 seconds to begin the blooming process.

Pro tip:

After adding the first 2 tablespoons of water, press down gently on the filter to compress the coffee. This will slow down the drip rate and give you a more flavorful drink. Remember, though: the key word here is “gently”! You don’t want to clog up the filter by forcing the grounds into its holes.

Step 6: Pour the remaining water into the filter

You should see just a few drips per second. Don’t rush it: the longer it takes, the better your coffee will taste.

Pro tip:

If you find that the coffee is dripping too quickly, you can adjust the tightness of the press. Take a small spoon or the tip of a knife and give it a single turn clockwise. If the press is too tight and you’re only getting one drop every few seconds, turn the spoon or knife once counter-clockwise.

If you’re going to add ice to your coffee, you can put this brewing time to good use.

Get a glass and fill it with ice cubes for later.

Step 7: Remove the filter and stir the coffee into the condensed milk

When the coffee has finished dripping, remove the filter from the top of your glass or mug.

Set it down on top of its upturned lid to avoid any drips making a mess of your counter top.

If you’ve used a heatproof glass, at this stage you’ll be able to see two distinct layers.

The caramel of the condensed milk will sit at the bottom, with a dark brown layer of coffee on top.

Take a moment to appreciate the sight before mixing the two layers together.